Sunday, September 07, 2008

I recently went to Texas to look at real estate and visit family, as many of you may know. What you don’t know is that I made up most of my ambitious itinerary as I went along, which had me zigzagging across the state with little time to breathe, let alone properly relax.

My aunt has a saying, “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” My travel plans were cobbled together at the last minute, and while my spontaneity prevented me from seeing and doing everything I wanted to, I would not say that my trip was a complete failure.

I ate heartily, took hundreds of mouth-watering photos, had the pleasure of watching the Democratic convention with two of my favorite Democrats—my grandma and my mom—and managed to both make and see good friends. That said, I’ve made a list of guidelines to follow next time I travel, just to make the trip a little less stressful.

Recipe for a less-stressful trip to Texas

1. Buy your plane ticket well enough in advance so you’re not forced to fly into a city that you don’t plan to spend any time visiting. This will not only save on travel time but you'll also be less road-weary when you finally do reach your destination.

2. When you go to a place where you don’t know anyone, it’s best to book a room before you get there so you’re not driving around dodgy parts of town late at night looking for a place to sleep. And you'll probably find a better deal than $200 a night at the local flea-bag motel.

3. If you’re going to travel 500 miles out of your way to look at one building and you decide that you don’t like it, next time ask the real estate agent to show you other properties that you might like to see instead of just saying to her, "Kay. Thanks. Bye!" This will make better use of your time and energy.

4. Yes, it’s very fortunate that your new friend, the lovely owner of the local winery, not only introduced you to a woman selling a house that you did like, but also invited you to a harvest party at her vineyard. However, next time you go somewhere where you don’t know anyone, bring a book just in case you don’t make new friends and the hotel doesn't have a TV. You can only squint at your iPhone for so long.

5. If your plan is to eat six meals daily of all the foods you can’t get in New York City, make sure that there is something open on a Monday besides the local pizza joint. Yes, the slices at the Pizza Foundation are indeed awesome, but a homesick Texan doesn't go to Texas to eat Italian. Plus, this will save you from having to eat half your meals at the gas station, as addictive as deep-fried jalapenos and burritos may be.

6. Listen to your grandmother. When she says it’s time to hit the road so you won’t hit traffic, don’t dilly dally by eating two more slices of her homemade chocolate pie; there’s nothing more stressful then being lost on strange suburban roads during the evening rush hour. Especially when your rental car has a scary warning light flashing at you, which, according to the nice gas station man, means you’ve been driving with the emergency break up since Huntsville. (Note to self: Mom is right, one should never buy a used rental car because fools like me have spent time behind the wheel.)

7. Always ask before taking photos in a restaurant. Some restaurant managers get upset when you’re taking pictures of their food, and you don’t want a repeat of what happened to you two years ago in Alabama, especially when you’re dining with your mother. You want her to be proud of you, not emabarrassed to be seen with you.

8. When you only have half a day in a town, and you really want to see certain people, please make sure you contact them at least three days before you travel. Otherwise they might not get your message until after you’ve returned home, which will be disappointing.

9. If a beloved restaurant has been rumored to be closing and you have the opportunity to eat there one last time, don’t get upset and leave in a huff if they fail to acknowledge your presence after half an hour. Yes, it’s shoddy service but clearly they had more important things on their mind besides selling you a plate of migas and bacon-laced refried beans.

10. And last but not least—if it’s Hatch green chile season, be sure and buy at least three pounds to bring back to New York City, that one pound you brought back just wasn’t enough.

Are those steak fingers with gravy in that final picture? I am so craving those right now--they do not have them in Georgia. Since I've been pregnant, they are all that I have been thinking about. Maybe I'm hallucinating.

Good travel tips--my husband and I return home to Texas about twice a year, and it's always hard work to fit in everything when there's so much family to see and food to eat.

Oh, Homesick Texan at least you had some Hatchgreen chile. I'm from New Mexico, and have relatives on the Rio Grande. Do you think they'd send some of Hatch's finest export for my chile fix out of the kindness of their own hearts? Noooo! They have to be bribed with abatch of Alaskan seafood. The hoops we jump through for comfort food. I'm hungry now...

I'm laughing -- I can think of several places I've been where I could substitute for Texas and be describing similar experiences -- wonky rental cars, airports in the middle of nowhere I wanted to be.... but those are the trips we remember.

Good luck with the real estate hunting! I'm just back from two weeks in NYC and Boston, having photographed quite a few meals; the only weird reaction I got was one waiter offering to buy my iPhone. Now I'm back in the UK, so anything Texas related will have to be home made; I don't cook much, but luckily my brother loves to - and after living in Houston for a few years, does pretty good chili, fajitas etc. Just as well, with a plain old beef burrito on the wrong side of the $20 barrier in the only 'Mexican' restaurant here!

Lee Anne, I do believe those are fried pickles. If they aren't they still made me go "oh, fried pickles, I miss fried pickles", and made me immediately change my dinner plans for my first meal back in Texas from Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen to Katz's.

Yes you are going through that "I miss Texas" phase! Been there done that. But when you go back - is it really the same? Or do you just wish it was and can't wait to get home with your bag of goodies (memories)?

Recently went back to Texas in March. Same as you did not make plans and missed seeing many things. However, I did make the BBQ run through Luling and Lockhart! Didn't bring back peppers, but I did haul back a huge longhorn skull! Why? I don't know!

Ha. Those are some great rules, and applicable to most anywhere. You're like Martha with her "gentle reminders," but about travel, and with sass. I love it. Sounds like it was a fun trip, despite some hurdles. Can't wait to hear more!

Ah love it! Did I see Kreuz Market in there? Or am imagining it? Plan on going to Dallas end of the month to visit family. I'll be stocking up on Mexican food and BBQ. I'm just wondering how I'm going to carry back the bison meat I want to bring with me.

Sounds like your itinerary was FULL! Love those photos. The first one of that taco started the drooling process, and by the time I reached the last one, I was approaching being dehydrated! So ... what's the verdict ... moving to Texas?

It is just awesome going back home, getting your fill of your favorite foods and seeing family. I learned the hard way, always bring back my favorite foods and then some as it doesn't seem to last long. Glad you had a good trip!

I just discovered your blog yesterday looking for a recipe for homemade biscuits b/c my pioneer mix ran out and we were all hankering for biscuits, gravy, and chorizo & eggs for brunch. I love it!! I'm in Texas, Houston then Austin and back in Houston again. my trips back to Austin & central Texas totally center around hitting my fave spots to eat. I lived in NY, but only made it one year because there was no mex or texmex, no open spaces, and it was too darn cold. I don't know how you do it. Great blog, and thanks, the biscuits turned out great and I had no idea I would be capable of mixing all the ingredients together from scratch-I picked your recipe because you assured the reader it really wasn't that hard... Thanks!!!!

Ha ha, I never saw that Alabama story before. Too funny. I'm glad I got to squeeze a visit into your very busy schedule. And that you let me vent endlessly about my stupid job situation. Now there's a fun topic of conversation! PS - I had a couple of interviews today (fingers crossed)!

No loss for Las Manitas. It was on the precious side.. this place is still there and a lot better.

There's a place on Cesar Chavez called Las Cazuelas (between Comal and Chicon) that allegedly serves food en el estilo potosino. In the style of San Luis Potosi. We walked through the door and it was Mexico. After 3 minutes sweat was pouring off me and a duo called Los Navegantes was playing. The waitresses don't speak English. Los Navegantes was playing their final song, "No Volveré," when our plates of steaming enchiladas were brought out. Huge portions, prepared from scratch. When I took my first bite, I was transported to the particular heaven that deals exclusively with superior enchiladas. They have a huge menu. We will return.

You just made me homesick...funny how a familiar plate of mexican food can make me miss my mom!

Someone asked about chili recipes. I recommend an easy one but one of my favorites from my time in NM. Tortilla, slice of roasted green chili, a good cheddar. That's all. Pure heaven.

Marfa is not a bad idea, by the way, if the stars align for you to move there. I'm from that part of Texas - my parents are from Pecos. It has its own beauty...its called miles of sky and some of the best people in the country.

haha, i made the same mistake in #1 the last time i visited home (early august). There's never enough time. I never make it out of houston with all the people I've got to see.

I'm not much into hatch chiles, but i brought back tons of mexican candy (the watermelon lollipops with chile) seems every new yorker i've given them to are smitten. And my friends from east l.a. are happy to have a piece of home (even if it was actually, from texas). Not to mention i've got half bag left after giving gifts. yum, chile lollipops.

I'm hoping your next trip to texas is smoother (and no less eventful)!

Just a nosy question - are those Dairy Queen steak fingers? Cuz Texas Dairy Queen is a whole different species from all other DQs. In small town Texas, Dairy Queen is THE place for all the retired old men to gather for coffee, gossip and politics. You can learn some mighty interesting stuff if you hang around long enough. And you can't go wrong with steak fingers, gravy, Texas toast, Peanut Buster Parfait or a Dilly Bar.

Lisa, we recently did a cruise through Elgin, Luling, Lockhart to sample the fine cuisine that is Central Texas BBQ. I got greased up good with sausage drippings in Luling. I loved Smitty's in Lockhart. We'll do Kreutz again in October. I also love Louis Mueller's in Taylor. Brought home some yummy sausage from Elgin. It's the best packaged sausage that I've ever had in my LIFE (age 48).

My boyfriend and I are both Texas expats living in Brooklyn. Our trips home are almost completely planned around what we want to eat where. Tex-mex (El Fenix, Cantina Laredo, or Joe T. Garcia's), good Texas home-cooking (Mama's Daughters' or Mecca...), BBQ (haven't made it to Cooper's in FAR too long...), Gulf seafood (Casey's).... TOO much good food, too little time. And I always come home a good 5 pounds heavier. :p

We have a tentative plan to take some of our NY friends on a food tour of our grand home state. They'll freak, and it'll be SO much fun. :)

And the DQ steak fingers...oh.my.word. I miss those so much! We have DQ here (N. Ga) but they don't have steak fingers. You should've seen the look on the lady's face when I ordered them once. Texas Stop Sign indeed. I love it.

Thanks for the reminder to not be tempted to buy a rental car. Yeah. Good idea. :-)

I just found this site.. What a delight. Having lived in Miami for 10 years before returning to west Texas, I so relate to all ya'll still away from home. Ever tried to find real Tex-Mex in Miami? What a nightmare... served you black beans with everything.. I missed it so much I would fly in home made tamales from Helotes.

I like your posting.I found it on blogs of note. I am a big fan of Texas and spent summers growing up there,visiting my dad in Victoria,TX. I love the state it's my second home, Alabama being my first. Great pictures-I'm hungry now and I want to go visit my dad!

Hi, from Rankin, Texas, just about an hour south of Midland and 20 minutes from some ASESOME DQ Steak fingers! Having lived in Texas my whole life, I guess I've taken it for granted that all DQ's have steak fingers with that yummy cream gravy and Texas Toast to dunk it in, your picture certainly does it justice! First time to visit your blog but I'll definitly visit again!

My husband and I are both Austinites but have been living in the northeast corner of England for the past few years. We just returned from a month-long vacation to Texas/Oklahoma/Colorado to visit family and friends. I made a "wish list" of everything I wanted to eat while we were home -- Tex-Mex, BBQ, cajun, Amy's ice cream, even a good ol' Wendy's Frosty! I never thought I could miss food this much.

After reading your blog, I thought of something I forgot to put on my wish list. There is a restaurant in Austin called Hoover's Cooking. They have an awesome breakfast called "Chicken 'n' Cakes" where you can choose a chicken item (pieces of BBQ chicken, fried chicken, BBQ chicken wings, chicken 'n' dumplings) AND pancakes (buttermilk, blueberry, gingerbread, sweet potato, banana, and hoe cakes - like cornbread except flatter). Talk about down home cooking (and eating)! My favorite is the BBQ chicken with hoe cakes or sweet potato pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. Yum!